I am looking to make a freedom of information request in regards to a crime from the early 90's, investigators and forensics were involved. I need some general advice from somebody who is experienced with the process and the FOIA, so that I can make the best attempt possible.
I have visited police on three occasions, once in 2016 and twice in 2017. Firstly in Fremantle and twice in Northbridge. They stonewalled me. Only on the third attempt did they attempt to search their database. They found nothing, but informed me the information would still be available in hard copy archives, but that I would have to request the information through a FOI request.
I have spent hundreds of hours searching newspaper microfilms searching for similar offenders, and getting supplementary information for a list I compiled from MAKO. I have narrowed it down to three offenders with similar MO's.
The primary victim of the crime re-contacted police in Claremont in the late 90's when an information appeal tent was set up for info on the Claremont Serial Killer. The police never contacted her at any point after the initial reporting of the crime and forensics, nor after she re reported it in Claremont.
The crime was a violent home intrusion and sexual assault. I was a witness. The perp planned and knew the targets schedule - he entered the house ahead of time, he came prepared and left on foot with his toolbox. There is no doubt he was a serial offender with experience. There are distinct features to the attack that make his MO easily identifiable, if police took a closer look at cases of the three offenders I have identified, they could possibly identify which was responsible. One of these POI's is a free man in Tuart Hill under a strict supervision order.
I may not be listed as a witness / victim in the case files, although I am quite certain I am. Rather than dredging up the past and asking the primary victim to relive the events and fill out the FOI request, I would like to do it myself, but if that is unlikely to yield results, I will involve the primary victim. If I have to involve a lawyer I will.
There are two distinct MO similarities to the failed 1988 Huntingdale attack by Bradley Robert Edwards that I will not disclose here. However, it occurred about 15 minutes drive from Huntingdale, a few years later, with similar victimology. While he is not my primary person of interest, I thought police would at least be interested in hearing about a potential CSK pre-murder phase crime. Turns out they have no interest, and were completely unwilling to pass the information on to anybody, let alone the Macro taskforce.
I am skeptical of the information I will receive in the FOI request. I have an acquaintance who worked at the POST and can have the story published, but this is likely to anger WAPOL. It is quite the dilemma.
I have decided to firstly try reach out here and reddit, and see if anybody has any experience with FOI requests, works for the Western Australia Police, or has any influence with WAPOL.
If you made it to the end, thanks for your time. If you can help, inbox me.